TIRANA, Aug 26 /ATA/ The prices of basic products will become more transparent for Albanian consumers through the new ‘PriceWatch Albania’ platform, which is set to launch in September.
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj stated today that the platform will allow citizens to view and compare the prices of basic products, helping them choose where to buy at the lowest cost.
“The prices of basic products can no longer be just a matter of opinion. Citizens want to know how much a product costs and where they can buy it cheaper,” Ibrahimaj said.
According to her, the platform will make public and transparent the reporting of businesses engaged in wholesale and retail trade of products, regarding basic prices. Ibrahimaj emphasized that the new mechanism will not be limited to publishing prices, but will also analyze the chain of their formation, from import or production to the point of sale.
We must identify where price increases occur and intervene accordingly to prevent abuses,” the minister said. She cited tomato prices as an example, noting that the same product can be sold at varying prices across different cities.
The government has no right and no authority to set prices, but it does have the power to monitor and ensure transparency,” Ibrahimaj declared. According to the minister, similar mechanisms used in other European countries have contributed to a real reduction in prices by increasing transparency and enabling consumers to compare offers.
“‘PriceWatch Albania – Price Mirror’ will also be integrated into ‘PasqyrAlbania’ and will be available not only to Albanian consumers but also to foreign visitors in the country.”
‘Prices must be visible, comparable, and transparent for every citizen,” Ibrahimaj stressed, adding that the platform aims to give consumers a concrete tool to compare prices and decide where to shop.
The minister underlined that in a free economy prices are determined by the market, while the role of institutions is to ensure transparency, monitoring, and informing consumers.
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